Is Canada’s Impact Assessment Act working?

Enacted in 2019 to fulfil election campaign commitments to introduce new, fair environmental review processes for new industrial projects and proposals, the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) is intended to foster sustainability, avoid adverse effects and respect the rights of Indigenous peoples. But is it living up to its promise?

This report on the first 18 months of the IAA’s being in force reveals challenges with its implementation, and sets out recommendations for ensuring that the law is working for communities and the environment.